Tiger Woods is ‘the next logical choice’ to captain Ryder Cup Team USA, claims Davis Love III, who insists the job is the 15-time major winner’s ‘if he wants’

Tiger Woods is next in line to captain Team USA at the Ryder Cup, claims former leader Davis Love III.

The United States suffered a crushing 16.5-11.5 defeat to Team Europe in Rome last week, but looks set to bounce back at Bethpage Black in 2025. Who better to lead the Americans into battle than fifteen-fold big winner Woods?

And former Captain Love seems to agree that the 47-year-old is the next logical choice to helm the ship.

“We have to call Tiger Woods and ask him,” Love said Thursday during the PGA Tour Champions’ Furyk & Friends, via NBC.

Love, who captained the USA in 2012 and 2016 and has also served as assistant captain four times, including last week with Marco Simone, suggested the job would be Woods’s when he was ready.

Former captain Davis Love III (right) claimed Woods was the next logical choice for the job

“I think if that’s what he wants, Tiger is obviously working on a lot of things right now, but it’s kind of his choice, I would say,” Love said. ‘I hate to put pressure on him, but it’s kind of his choice. Obviously, with a few guys out, he’s the next logical choice.”

Phil Mickelson had long been earmarked to take charge of Team USA at Bethpage Black, but his defection from LIV Golf and accusations of attempting to place a bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup certainly put his name on the line.

Woods was nowhere near Rome last week, either as a player or as a leader, as an injury kept him off the course.

But he has played in eight Ryder Cups, taking part in 37 matches and finishing with a career record of 13 wins, 21 defeats and three halves.

However, Love seemed to cast doubt on whether Woods would be up to the challenge.

“I remember one time Tiger and Phil saw me doing it and said, ‘Holy cow, I don’t know if we want to put that much time and effort into it,’” Love said. ‘It takes a lot out of you. Hopefully we can talk to (Woods) about it.”

Still, Woods has already taken on leadership duties, having served as assistant captain at Hazeltine in 2016.

He was also absent from the US’s 19-9 massacre at the 2021 tournament in Whistling Straits, but still managed to deliver one of the most stirring battle cries.

Woods became the ultimate motivator, sending text messages to his compatriots to encourage them to the dominant victory from the comfort of his couch.

Phil Mickelson had long been tapped to take charge of Team USA at Bethpage Black

Woods won the Presidents Cup as captain and player at Royal Melbourne in 2019

One of the messages contained a particularly violent mental image to inspire his fellow countrymen.

With the U.S. having already built a sizeable 11-5 lead over Europe heading into Sunday’s singles, Woods texted captain Steve Stricker: “Stand on their necks now.”

Woods continued his couch-captainting at last year’s Presidents Cup, acting as Love III’s extra set of eyes.

Once again absent from Quail Hollow, Woods frequently called the American captain to offer advice. Woods even jumped on team Zoom calls and crunched the numbers.

He has also already proven himself to be a successful commander-in-chief when he stepped into the role during the Presidents Cup in 2019.

In an iconic move, Woods chose himself to face Ernie Els’ international side and not only did he lead the US to a 16-14 win and take the first point of the singles matches, he was also by far the best player at Royal Melbourne and the only one not to record a loss.